So there I was at Stout’s Growlers for their first anniversary party! Yes indeed, for the low, low price of $15, fans got a souvenir pint glass, beer samples, food and music! Now that’s a deal if I ever heard one, folks. One of the beers that I selected was HogWild IPA from the Aviator Brewing Company of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina-South of Raleigh. At first, I did a double take on the brewery name, recalling the old Aviator beers line from Washington State. As I found out, this was not them.

The old Aviator beers were part of the Nor’Wester lineup, back in the 90s. They went under around 1998, although there is a website for Aviator Ales in Washington still active, claiming beers under the Aviator brand being brewed by Hales Ales. Now that I’ve said that, I’ll tell you again that the Aviator Brewing Company under consideration today is from North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers flew the first aircraft ever.

But back to their beer. HogWild IPA is a classic American IPA that I very much enjoyed. The brewery says of it on their website:

A golden brew made with Pale Ale and Vienna malts.  A veritable fest of the big “C” hops. Chinook, Columbus, Cascade.  Dry hopped with Magnum, Williamette, and Amarillo.  A very hoppy and refreshing ale.

Look at all those classic West Coast hops. In many ways, Avery Wild Hog IPA reminds me of those massive resiny piney India Pale Ales of the 90s. A few stats: it has an alcohol content of 6.7% by volume with, they claim, an amazing 202 IBUs. It runs $10.99 a six-pack at Total Wine (a bit high); Stout’s offered it for $7.25 for a 32-ounce growler.

My glass of Aviator HogWild IPA arrived a beautiful orange amber color with a thick creamy head and wafts of piney resin as soon as the glass got near my nose. Taking a sip, there’s lots of chewy caramel malt up front, then an amazing wave of sticky resiny pine tar, and a massive long dry bitter finish.

If you love resin like I do, this beer is for you! It’s truly sensational, and a beer fast becoming a personal favorite. ½ star off for the slightly high price, but otherwise a perfect IPA folks! I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely hog-wild over it.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 

 

 



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